The life swap begins with Consort Hua becoming Lady Qin.

He grew angrier with each word: "You won't save her, not because she can't, but because you know that your father's favor is more important than your mother's life! You must be the most obedient and polite son. I don't expect your father to forgive your mother's crimes, but at least he won't hold a grudge against you and will still pass the throne to you!"

"You just didn't expect that!"

Fourteenth suddenly sneered: "On the very day you made your choice, Father Emperor also had few days left, and in the end, he passed the throne to the Fifteenth. Your attempt to sever ties for personal gain has ultimately amounted to nothing!"

This sentence seemed to have struck Yinzhen's most painful spot.

He struggled violently, a near-mad ruthlessness flashing in his eyes for the first time, as he tried to fight back!

But he was weak from childhood, and as he grew older, he became pampered and neglected his riding and archery skills. How could he be a match for the fourteenth prince who had once been a great general?

In just a moment, he was brutally knocked to the ground again, this time even his breathing was much weaker.

Fourteen looked down at him, his eyes devoid of any tenderness a younger brother might show to an older brother, replaced only by an almost icy killing intent.

He slowly leaned down, his hands gradually approaching Yinzhen's neck.

But in the end, he withdrew his hand.

"Killing you would be too good for you. A person like you doesn't deserve to see your mother until you've suffered enough torture."

The next moment, a scream tore through the night, startling the snow on the branches of the plum blossom garden into a flurry of falling snow.

Fourteen actually managed to break one of the fourth brother's arms and one of his legs!

Xia Dongchun's face turned deathly pale. She had never seen such a ruthless and cruel scene before. Her heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't help but let out a soft scream.

Although the sound was not loud, it was exceptionally clear in the quiet snowy night.

Fourteen suddenly turned around, his gaze sweeping over like a knife: "Who!"

Xia Dongchun was so frightened that he turned around and ran away.

To her surprise, as soon as she moved, another figure darted out from the shadows closer to Fourteen. It was clearly a woman, and she even let out a scream before running away.

Fourteen was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously rushed towards the person who was closer. Taking advantage of this moment, Xia Dongchun almost tumbled and crawled out of Yimei Garden, not daring to look back.

She stumbled and staggered all the way back to Suiyu Pavilion, almost tripping over the threshold with her cloak as she entered.

Xia Dongchun hurriedly closed the door, leaned against it, unable to say a word, feeling trembling all over and his jaw chattering.

God!

What did she hear?

The mother of the Fourteenth Prince and the Fourth Prince was none other than the deceased Consort De.

Consort De had an affair with Longkodo!

How did she find out about such a royal scandal?

Xia Dongchun clutched her head and screamed silently.

If people knew that she had overheard everything in the Plum Blossom Garden tonight, she would be dead!

She panicked and her first thought was to go home.

Come back home!

Go home immediately! Find your father and save her!

She rushed to the trunk and rummaged through it haphazardly, stuffing gold, silver, valuables, and a few decent clothes into the bundle. After stuffing two bundles, she suddenly stopped.

wrong.

Don't panic.

There were no stars or moon tonight, and the snow was falling heavily. Given the distance, the Fourteenth Prince might not have been able to see her face clearly.

If she were to make a big scene and insist on going home right now, wouldn't that be an admission of guilt?

Xia Dongchun stood there blankly for a moment, his chest heaving, but his mind surprisingly cleared up.

Hide.

As long as you hide well, nothing bad will necessarily happen.

The Fourteenth Prince was ultimately an outsider, and given the nature of such a shameful affair, it was impossible for him to openly enter the palace to search for her.

If she loses her composure first, then she will truly be doomed.

Thinking of this, she gritted her teeth, shoved the bundle in her hand back into the box, turned around and blew out the candle in the room, staggered back to the bed, and wrapped herself up tightly in the quilt from head to toe.

She huddled under the covers, trembling all over, muttering incoherent prayers to all the gods and Buddhas in the heavens.

I just want to get through this.

Once she gets through this ordeal, and never causes trouble or acts arrogantly again, she should immediately ask her father to find her a respectable marriage. After getting married, she should obediently serve her husband and raise her children, never leaving the house for the rest of her life, only hoping to die peacefully in her old age!

-

Something really serious has happened up ahead.

Prince Yong went out to sober up and did not return for a long time.

They waited until late at night, and even Hongzhou got sleepy and started crying, wanting to go back to the mansion. Yixiu waited and waited but no one came, so she had no choice but to send someone to look for him.

This search uncovered a major event.

The person was found in the Yimei Garden.

The gardener's hut, where he usually kept his shovels and brooms, had its door half-closed. Inside, the charcoal brazier had long since gone out, and the room was as cold as ice.

Fourth Master lay on the ground, his clothes disheveled, with a young woman lying beside him, completely naked, her face pale and stiff with cold.

When the person was carried out, the relatives and noblewomen who were guarding outside were stunned. Even Yixiu, who was usually the most composed, changed her expression instantly.

The imperial physicians rushed over that very night and examined the patient several times. The lights in the room remained on all night.

As dawn approached, several imperial physicians emerged with grave expressions to report that the man had likely indulged in excessive drinking and caught a chill, especially in his hands and feet, which were probably weakened by the pressure while lying down. Although he had been given a second chance at life, his mouth and eyes were crooked, he could not speak, and his hands and feet were severely damaged. He would likely be unable to move around in the future and would need constant care.

Upon hearing this, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

Fourteen stood to the side, his face as cold as frost, but a fleeting, almost uncontrollable sense of pleasure flashed across his eyes.

The ninth and tenth brothers exchanged a glance, their expressions revealing undisguised schadenfreude.

The tenth prince, true to his old ways—sharp-tongued and clueless—stood up to Yinzhen on the couch and said in a serious tone, "Fourth brother, this is your fault. 'To die under a peony is to die romantically,' but you've gone too far. Although the palace maids are all considered the emperor's women, everyone knows his temperament. With the empress around, a mere maid is nothing. If you really like her, you can simply take her to your own residence. Why bother coming here in this freezing weather and being so hasty?"

These words almost made Lao Jiu burst out laughing, and even the other relatives next to him turned their faces away.

Yinzhen lay on the couch, his mouth crooked and his eyes slanted, unable to utter a complete sentence. He could only pound his chest in anger, his eyes bulging as if they were about to pop out.

The only one who truly cared about Yinzhen was the thirteenth prince, and his face was heavy ever since he learned the news.

Yixiu, on the other hand, quickly calmed down after her initial shock and anger. She sat to the side, holding Hongzhou's hand as he sobbed, her expression almost eerily peaceful.

However, to outsiders, it seemed more like they were so shocked by the news that they didn't know what to do.

This farce completely turned what should have been a pleasant palace banquet upside down.

The Emperor and Empress, who were in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, were the last to find out.

The court session was suspended on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Last night, Yinwu and Yanzhi were in a rare good mood, and after a couple of rounds of drinks, they returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Since that day when they spoke frankly, Yanzhi no longer treated him with the same restraint and restraint as before.

Firstly, he couldn't bear it; facing this person who only had eyes for him, he was finding it increasingly difficult to soften his heart.

Secondly, after giving herself to him more completely, she truly experienced a better feeling than before.

So the two of them fooled around late last night, and both woke up late this morning.

The palace servants were given strict orders that no matter how important the matter, they were not allowed to disturb them while they were resting inside.

Therefore, even though there was a huge commotion outside, the Hall of Mental Cultivation remained quiet until the sun was high in the sky, when finally there was movement in the sleeping quarters.

As Yinwu was being helped to dress, he listened to Li Deyu's careful report. The more he listened, the more his brows furrowed. In the end, he didn't even bother to eat breakfast, hurriedly fastened his belt, and walked out.

He was always sentimental and still cared about his brothers. With such a big incident, how could he sit still?

Yan Zhi was left alone, and he laughed out loud without any attempt to hide it.

"That's interesting."

After a moment, she suddenly looked up and asked, "Who were the palace maids who were carried out with Prince Yong?"

Fuling replied in a low voice, "Your Majesty, she is a palace maid on night duty in the Yimei Garden, named Yu Ying'er."